Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880) French writer (1821–1880)
Source: The Letters of Gustave Flaubert, 1830-1857
Source: 1910s, An Introduction to Mathematics (1911), ch. 1.
Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880) French writer (1821–1880)
Source: The Letters of Gustave Flaubert, 1830-1857
Ray Bradbury book Fahrenheit 451
Source: Fahrenheit 451 (1953), Coda (1979)
Context: For, let's face it, digression is the soul of wit. Take the philosophic asides away from Dante, Milton or Hamlet's father's ghost and what stays is dry bones. Laurence Sterne said it once: Digressions, incontestably, are the sunshine, the life, the soul of reading! Take them out and one cold eternal winter would reign in every page. Restore them to the writer - he steps forth like a bridegroom, bids them all-hail, brings in variety and forbids the appetite to fail.
Tite Kubo (1977) Japanese manga artist
Source: Bleach, Volume 04
Charles Mackay (1814–1889) British writer
"The Good Time Coming".
Voices from the Crowd, and Town Lyrics (1857)
Context: There’s a good time coming, boys!
A good time coming.
We may not live to see the day,
But earth shall glisten in the ray
Of the good time coming.
Cannon-balls may aid the truth
But thought’s a weapon stronger;
We’ll win our battles by its aid,
Wait a little longer.
“Sometimes, to please the ladies, we drop down our weapons pretending we are civilized.”
Aristotle Onassis (1906–1975) Greek shipping magnate
Quoted in Peter Evans, Ari: Life and Times of Aristotle Socrates Onassis, (1978),
During his wedding (Terrace Room - Plaza) with Tina Livanos about [Stavros Niarchos]
David Hilbert Mathematical Problems
Mathematical Problems (1900)
Context: A mathematical problem should be difficult in order to entice us, yet not completely inaccessible, lest it mock at our efforts. It should be to us a guide post on the mazy paths to hidden truths, and ultimately a reminder of our pleasure in the successful solution.
“A great many a drop of water will create a creek.”
Giovanni Morassutti (1980) Italian actor, theatre director and cultural entrepreneur.
Broadcast interview, min 9.51 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVwuaHbbd4s, in "Obiettivo Friuli - Reportage da Pordenone" by Claudia Brugnetta, Rai Friuli Venezia Giulia http://www.rai.it/dl/portali/site/page/Page-2331f91a-cc95-4c68-87d7-67c9afd83529.html?refresh_ce (September 26, 2018).
John D. Barrow (1952–2020) British scientist
Source: The Book of Nothing (2009), chapter nought "Nothingology—Flying to Nowhere"